Germany's Rhein Chemie, a subsidiary of specialty chemicals producer Lanxess, has opened its first Russian production facility. The new 1,500 t/y plant at Lipetsk will manufacture the company's pre-dispersed polymer-bound additives for the rubber industry in Russia and the CIS countries. A plant to produce 80,000 bladders for the tire industry is due to be added in 2016.

Lanxess said the investment at Lipetsk, which in the medium term will create 40 jobs at the site, "amounts to a seven-digit euro figure."

The product range, marketed under the "Rhenogran" brand name, includes accelerators, sulfur donors, antioxidants and crosslinking activators used to produce tires and automotive seats as well as technical rubber products such as extruded profiles and hoses.

"Opening our first production facility in Russia marks yet another milestone in our long-term commitment to this market. The new plant will enable us to harness market potential more effectively, particularly in the automotive and tire industries," said Lanxess managing board member Werner Breuers.

Lanxess cites studies estimating medium-term annual growth rates for these industries in the mid-to-high single-digit euro range. Since entering the Russian market in 2009, the company has quadrupled sales and established strategic partnerships in our target markets and with research institutes, Breuers said. (dw)